Spring Kickoff Hike
2026-03-28 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for a start of Spring nature hike! Lace up your hiking shoes and come out to enjoy the changing of seasons.

This guided adventure will cover approximately 3-4 miles over the course of 2 hours with a few hills along the way. Enjoy fresh air, scenic views, and the chance to connect with others while exploring the beauty of Van Cortlandt Park.
RSVP Now.

Saturday Stewardship Event
2026-03-28 10:00 - 13:00
Winter is the most critical time to save the forest floor! Join us to remove invasive Bush Honeysuckle, Multiflora Rose, and other invasive shrubs while the native plants are dormant.
By clearing these shrubs now, we immediately flood the forest floor with winter sunlight and remove the chemical barriers that stop our native trees from growing. Your hard work this March directly prepares the soil for the return of spring wildflowers and oak seedlings.
Meeting at the Van Cortlandt Golf House.
RSVP Now.

Urban Environmental Challenge
2026-03-29 10:00 - 12:00
Run the trails you love. Van Cortlandt Track Club has hosted this classic park race for decades, and a portion of proceeds goes to the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance to support trail maintenance. 10K race for adults and kids races too. Register today.

Woodlawn Wednesday
2026-04-01 09:00 - 12:00
Help restore the beautiful woodlands of Van Cortlandt Park’s east side! Join us for Woodlawn Wednesdays, where volunteers like you play a vital role in preserving this important urban ecosystem.
You might:
Remove Invasive Species: Tackle harmful plants like multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, bittersweet, and Japanese angelica tree that threaten our native biodiversity.
Maintain Trails: Keep paths clear, safe, and welcoming for all park visitors.
No experience needed! We provide all tools and gloves. You’ll also learn about forest ecology, plant ID, and restoration techniques.
Where:
Meet outside the handball courts at Woodlawn Playground
(Located on the east side of Van Cortlandt Park)
Note: No session on Weds. 5/27.
RSVP Now.

Trail Work Thursdays
2026-04-02 09:00 - 12:00
Help Maintain the Trails that Keep the Park Connected

Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park. Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to trail maintenance, your help will make a significant impact!
What We’ll Be Doing:
Learn how to plan and assess site to install a puncheon.
Clearing debris and overgrowth
Ensuring trail safety and accessibility
Trail structure installation

Meeting Location: Southern end of Van Cortlandt Park Golf House

RSVP Now.

Forest Fridays
2026-04-03 09:00 - 12:00
Volunteers will assist with forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, planting, compost management, and general site maintenance.
Volunteers should wear long sleeves and pants, bring water and snacks, and be prepared for physical work. No prior experience required, but enthusiasm for environmental conservation is a plus.
Forest Fridays will meet at VCPA’s Learning Garden near the Riverdale Stables.
RSVP Now.

Van Cortlandt Park Nature Group Walk
2026-04-04 10:00 - 11:30
Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature, plants, and wildlife that she enjoys sharing.
This walk will meet in front of the Van Cortlandt Nature Center and will walk through the wetland areas of Van Cortlandt Park.
RSVP Now.

Van Cortlandt Park Nature Group Walk
2026-04-06 14:00 - 15:30
Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature, plants, and wildlife that she enjoys sharing.
This walk will meet in the parking lot of the Riverdale Stables and will walk through the Northwest Woods of Van Cortlandt Park.
RSVP Now.

Birding with NYC Bird Alliance
2026-04-11 09:00 - 10:30
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and NYC Bird Alliance invite you to join us during 4 weekend mornings of birding in the park this spring.
Explore Van Cortlandt Park’s ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. We will look for various species of resident and migratory birds and discuss a wide range of avian topics. Each walk will be led by a NYC Bird Alliance (formerly NYC Audubon) guide.
Advance registration is required. You must register separately for each date you would like to attend.
Birding sessions meet at 9am on the following dates:

Saturday, April 11
Sunday, April 26
Saturday, May 16
Sunday, June 14

Note: We do not provide binoculars and suggest that attendees bring their own.
Want us to continue birding programs in the future? Please make a donation during checkout. All donations made will be used to continue birding programs.
As space is limited, if you are not able to attend please let us know ASAP so we can fill in your spot by emailing info@vancortlandt.org.
RSVP Now.
These birding events are generously supported by NYC Bird Alliance.
Photo by Jack Rothman

Pitch in for NYC Parks
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00
Pitch in for NYC Parks Day at Van Cortlandt Park
Van Cortlandt Park is one of New York City’s largest and most ecologically rich parks, and keeping it clean takes community effort.
Join Van Cortlandt Park Alliance for our annual Pitch in for NYC Parks Day event, a morning of hands-on park stewardship near Caryl Field along the park’s northern edge by the Yonkers border. Volunteers will collect litter and debris from park paths, natural areas, and surrounding green spaces, making a direct and visible difference in the park.
No experience is required. Gloves, bags, and all equipment will be provided. Please wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dirty, and bring water.
Saturday, April 11, 10am to 12pm at Caryl Field.
RSVP Now

Tree Identification Walk
2026-04-11 13:30 - 15:30
Put your ID skills to the test and have the opportunity to ask the experts!

Think all trees look the same ? Think again! Join us for an in-person tree identification walk in Van Cortlandt Park hosted by Riverside Park Conservancy and Van Cortlandt Park Alliance where we will be identifying common New York trees. We’ll explore bark patterns, twig shapes, and buds,–nature’s secret clues hiding in plain sight. Perfect for hikers, naturalists, and anyone who wants to deepen their connection to the woods.
Meet at the southern end of the Van Cortlandt Golf House.
RSVP Now.

Tune-up Tuesdays
2026-04-14 10:00 - 13:00
Turnip to volunteer and help us take care of our Learning Garden!
Volunteers will help care for our garden, maintain compost bins, weed, water, and harvest produce.
No gardening experience needed – just show up in clothing you will be comfortable getting dirty in!
Location: The VCPA Learning Garden is located near the Mosholu Avenue and Broadway entrance of the park (past the Northwest playground).
Held on the following Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm:

April 14
April 28
May 26
June 9
June 23

Volunteers must be 18 and older.
RSVP Now.
Groups of 5+ must register as a unit via email to gardening@vancortlandt.org.

Register Now for 26.2 in '26
2026-04-17
Hike (or Run or Walk) 26.2 miles in Van Cortlandt Park in 2026!

The Challenge:
Hike 26.2 miles in Van Cortlandt Park anytime during 2026, post on social media (@vcpalliance) from the park to spread the word, and wear your 26.2 in ‘26 Finisher’s Pin with pride once you attain your goal (because you earned it!).
VCPA will provide you with route options within Van Cortlandt Park, the third largest park in NYC, but you pick your method (hike, run, stroll, skip) and you pick when (as long as you complete it all by December 31, 2026). Van Cortlandt Park, located in the Northwest Bronx, has over 20 miles of trails of various levels of difficulty. If any of the suggested trails are too strenuous, you can substitute as you like. The specific trails do not matter as much as hitting the goal of 26.2 miles.
Registration:
Register now to receive the list of 9 different trails you can hike and some start-up swag! More details below.
Registration closes October 15, 2026 but the sooner you register, the more perks you will receive, and the more time you will have to meet the challenge.
Cost/Proceeds:
For only $52 per adult ($26 for those under 18), you can participate, receive swag, and make a difference in Van Cortlandt Park. You also gain access to exclusive hikes in the park, led by fabulous (and knowledgeable) VCPA staff. All proceeds support Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s environmental education, internship and community stewardship programs.
The Swag:
Every participant gets a VCPA bag, VCPA die-cut sticker, VCP map, and invitations to exclusive 26.2 in ‘26 guided hikes (optional but will count towards your 26.2 miles). After you complete your hikes, you will receive an exclusive 26.2 in ‘26 Finishers Pin and bragging rights! Pins will be mailed starting in Fall of 2026.
Register Now.

Super Seedlings
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00
Please Note: Saturday, May 9 session has been canceled due to rain.
Join VCPA for tons of family-friendly garden fun! Let’s grow together!
Super Seedlings is a free, drop-in gardening program for kids ages 3-7 and their caregivers.
Each Saturday session will have a fun theme to explore, nature crafts, planting, soil digging, and more!
Come once, twice, or all four weeks for some playing and planting! We hope to see you there!
Saturday, May 16
Time: 10 AM – 12 PM
Location: The VCPA Learning Garden is located near the Mosholu Avenue and Broadway entrance of the park (past the Northwest playground).
Drop-ins are welcome, but advance registration is recommended.
Please e-mail us with any questions at gardening@vancortlandt.org

Meet the Design Ideas Lab Teams
2026-04-21 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for a panel with the three teams selected from the Reimagining Design Ideas Competition to envision future memorial in the Bronx

Reimagining the Enslaved African Burial Ground at Van Cortlandt Park is hosting a special panel conversation in partnership with Lehman College at CUNY, Campus Honors & Scholar Engagement.
RSVP Now.
Led by Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Design Trust for Public Space, and Immanuel Oni of Liminal sp, Reimagining has selected three design teams through its Bronx community-engagement-informed Design Ideas Competition, aiming to generate new visions for a memorial honoring the site. Reimagining is honored to announce the Design Ideas Lab cohort:

Rodney Leon/ Leon Pinkster Azalea Collaborative: Leon “Pinkster Azalea Collaborative” is a collaboration between Rodney Leon, Elgin Cleckley(_mpathic design), and Creative Urban Alchemy established for the Reimagining of Van Cortlandt Park’s Enslaved African Burial Ground. The Collaborative’s founder Rodney Leon, is the designer of the African Burial Ground Memorial in New York City, which is the first National Monument in the United States dedicated to the contributions of people of African descent. Mr. Leon is also the Architect and Designer of the United Nations Permanent Memorial to the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. His practice Rodney Leon Architect has a unique expertise focusing on the design of sacred, cultural and public spaces over the last 30 years. Ifeoma Ebo: Nigerian-American, Brooklyn-based public artist, educator at the Spitzer School of Architecture at City College and Principal of Creative Urban Alchemy (CUA) – an award-winning design studio working at the intersection of art, architecture, urban design & planning. With a career spanning two decades, she is renowned for her transformative work in urban landscapes, with a keen focus on equity and design excellence. She has significantly impacted urban design and development projects, partnering with prestigious institutions like the United Nations, FIFA, and the NYC Mayor’s Office. She is joined by Ximena Diaz Velasco, a Community Designer at CUA trained in landscape architecture and international development. Elgin Cleckley is an award-winning Architect, Civic designer, and Associate Professor at the University of Virginia, where he leads the internationally recognized _mpathic design initiative, pedagogy, and design practice. He has collaborated on major civic and cultural projects across North America over three decades and helped realize the groundbreaking Weston Family Innovation Centre at the Ontario Science Centre (Toronto). Current design projects include Brookes (Revisited) installation at the Beck Center in Knoxville (Tennessee), Royal Museum Greenwich (UK), and the Charles Wright African American Museum (Detroit), and a public space at Kindlewood (Charlottesville).

Ujijji Davis Williams/ JIMA studio: A landscape architectural design and urban planning studio that collaborates with community groups, organizations, and builders committed to culturally relevant placemaking and strategic implementation. JIMA Studio contributed to a conceptual design investigation interpreting the history of the Forrest Slave Mart, a holding facility for enslaved Africans and African Americans owned and operated by Nathan Bedford Forrest in the midst of Downtown Memphis.

Sunsum Collective: a collaboration between Wil Jones, founding principal of NYC-based urban practice GROUND3D, architect Deena Darby, cultural preservationist and placemaker Talisha Ward, landscape architectural designer and herbalist Simone Delaney, and urban planner Nolen Scruggs. The interdisciplinary team has expertise in community engagement, historic preservation, landscape design, and public programming. Team members have contributed to community-engaged planning and design efforts related to the Flatbush African Burial Ground, advancing heritage corridor strategies, participatory design processes, ecological design interventions, and collaborative approaches to cultural preservation and public memory.

Join us for a talk and reception at Lehman College to celebrate and meet the design teams, learn more about the hidden histories of the Enslaved African Burial Ground in Van Cortlandt Park, and explore how the design ideas lab will lay down a blueprint vision for a future permanent memorial—one that connects Bronx residents and visitors to the site’s history, acknowledges its painful legacy, and creates space for gathering, education, and healing. Moderated by Jeremiah Olayinka Ojo, Artist, Educator & Preservationist.
This panel discussion is part of Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s REIMAGINING initiative. In partnership with the Design Trust for Public Space and Immanuel Oni, Liminal Sp, VCPA invites the community to reimagine the park’s Enslaved African Burial Ground site as a memorial space that fosters long-term healing and restoration. This project is supported by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation.

This event will be held in B39 Carman Hall at Lehman College.

Family Fun Day
2026-04-25 13:00 - 16:00
Due to Saturday’s cold and rainy forecast, we are canceling Family Fun Day. We hope to reschedule for the fall. Stay tuned for more details.

Sunday Stewardship
2026-04-26 10:00 - 13:00
Join Van Cortlandt Park Alliance for Sunday Stewardship — hands-on ecological restoration in Van Cortlandt Park. No experience necessary. Tools, gloves, and guidance provided.
This will be City Nature Challenge weekend! Celebrate by helping with garlic mustard removal and iNaturalist species mapping.
Bring your phone and a water bottle.
Meeting at the southern end of the Van Cortlandt Golf House.
RSVP Now.

Unhired Hands
2026-04-28 18:30 - 20:00
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Van Cortlandt House Museum presents a poetry reading by poet and Bronx byproduct David Mills.

Mills will read from Unhired Hands, his new poetry collection about slavery in Queens and Massachusetts. The reading will be held the downstairs educational space inside the Van Cortlandt House Museum (only accessible via stairs).
Space is limited so advance registration is required.
RSVP Now.
This reading is a part of Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s Reimagining initiative. In partnership with the Design Trust for Public Space and Immanuel Oni, Liminal Sp, VCPA invites the community to reimagine the park’s Enslaved African Burial Ground site as a memorial space that fosters long-term healing and restoration. This project is supported by the Mellon Foundation.
This event is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
About Unhired Hands: You never quite know where to place Mills’ work in the poetic landscape. This is a good thing given the clusters of poets bunched around the same subjects and approaches. In Unhired Hands, where he explores slavery in Queens and Massachusetts, he’s formal while wild in style; he’s both historical/recognizable and strange/innovative. Like Ralph Waldo Emerson tuning in from the outer boroughs; like Phillis Wheatley riding Funkadelic’s mothership. He possesses an archival acumen akin to Natasha Trethewey; a cultural vernacular rich as that of August Wilson; the intellectual quirks of Pharaoh Sanders and Sun Ra. Unhired Hands highlights his expressive documentarian impulses while adding to his clear technical mastery. He reconstructs / conjures Queens (through the lives of enslaved individuals Victoria Earle Matthews, Millie Tunnell, and Martha Peterson), and Massachusetts (with an homage to Phillis Wheatley). His research is exacting, but open; the poems are formal but never formulaic. The image of Matthews sneaking books between chores, her eyes “learning to swim, learning to sink into literature’s at turns clear and sometimes troubling waters” is a kind of statement of poetics and a lyrical reconstruction of history. Mills writes beyond “the jurisdiction of flinch,” into the intimacy of interrogation: its also an “interrogation of intimacy.” This collection is akin to a history book scored by form and spirit, ingenuity and telepathic empathy…
Terrance Hayes, National Book Award and MacArthur-Genius-Award winning author of Lighthead.
About David Mills: David Mills is currently a New York Public Library Cullman Fellow finishing a poetry collection about slavery in the Bronx. He holds an M.F.A. from Warren Wilson College and an M.A. from New York University in creative writing. He’s published five collections: Unhired Hands, Boneyarn (Manhattan slavery poems), After Mistic, The Sudden Country and The Dream Detective. His poems have appeared in Ploughshares, Colorado Review, Fence, Crab Orchard Review, Jubilat, Callaloo, Brooklyn Rail, and Obsidian. He has received a 2026 NYSCA grant to write a poetry collection about Brooklyn slavery.

Cross Country Volunteer Days
2026-05-02 10:00 - 13:00
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the historic Course Country Trail in Van Cortlandt Park

Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to trail work, your help will make a significant impact!
Event Dates and Times:
Saturdays May 2, June 6, August 1 and September 5 from 10am to 1pm.*
Meeting Location:
VCPA Learning Garden

RSVP Now.

*Please note that for groups of 10 or more only. Please email garcialeslie@vancortlandt.org to schedule a group.

Pinkster Festival
2026-05-02 12:00 - 16:00
Hosted by Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Van Cortlandt House Museum and Kingsbridge Historical Society.

Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Pinkster at this year’s Pinkster Festival hosted by the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Van Cortlandt House Museum, and Kingsbridge Historical Society.
Join us on the picturesque lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum for a day filled with vibrant festivities, live music, engaging performances, and immersive experiences.
12PM Tours
1PM Live Music
2PM Storytelling
3PM The Story of Pinkster
4PM Libations at the Enslaved African Burial Ground

Chief Baba Neil Clarke, Master Percussionist
The Pinkster Players
April Armstrong, Master Storyteller
Tijay Mohammed, Artist

PLUS: Food for sale! Art-Making!
RSVP NOW
WHAT IS PINKSTER?
Once a major holiday in 17th century New York, Pinkster is the Dutch name for the Christian event of Pentecost.
For enslaved and free people of African descent, Pinkster morphed into a unique holiday that incorporated African rituals, traditions, and pride. It is considered New York’s first African American holiday!
To learn more about Pinkster watch this video of captivating discussion with local historians, Lavada Nahon and Chief Baba Neil Clarke, as they unravel the significance of Pinkster, exploring its cultural, social, and historical importance.
Supported by:
NYC Councilmember Eric Dinowitz
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
NYS Council on the Arts
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.
This event is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Trail Work Thursdays
2026-05-07 09:00 - 12:00
Be a part of the community effort to care for the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.

Upcoming Activities Include:

Clearing debris and overgrowth
Ensuring trail safety and accessibility
Maintenance on structures that mitigate erosion and improve access.

What to Bring:

Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
Closed-toed shoes
Water and a snack

Meeting Details:
Location: VCPA Learning Garden
Time: 9 am sharp; work begins at 9:15 am
RSVP Now

Van Cortlandt Nature Group Walk
2026-05-11 09:30 - 10:30
Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan.

Spring is off to a glorious beginning. Wildflowers are emerging, and the warblers are coming in! Tree swallows are visiting the Vault Hill and Tibbett Meadows. Tulip trees and crabapples will be in flower in May along with cherry trees, dogwoods, redbud trees. The dawn chorus is well underway, and birds are busy collecting nesting material.
RSVP Now.
Taking precautions against tick bite is recommended – socks over pants, and you may want to use insect repellent. Check your body for ticks after being outdoors.
Walk meets in the parking lot of the Riverdale Stables.

Papermaking with Michele Brody
2026-05-23 13:00 - 15:30
Work with local artist Michele Brody in collaboration with VCPA to create paper casts of fallen trees in Van Cortlandt Park.

The Learning Garden is collaborating with Bronx Artist Michele Brody to produce an immersive installation that will reanimate fallen Park trees through cast handmade-paper sculptures. Come join her on May 23 from 1-3:30 to help with this creative endeavor while learning the process of making paper and casting our fallen trees in the Northwest Forest. Meeting at the VCPA Learning Garden.
This project is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and with funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, both administered by the Bronx Council on the Arts.

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Springtime Shindig 2026
2026-05-27 18:00 - 21:00
Cocktails • Lite Bites • Dessert
Music • Picturesque Setting • Raffle
HONOREES
Betty Campbell-Adams Award
Christopher Rizzo of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, LLP
Lyman Casey Spitzer, Attorney
NYC Parks current and past leadership
For facilitating VCPA’s license agreement with NYC Parks, recognizing Van Cortlandt Park Alliance as its official partner.
Cultivating the Bronx Award
Riverdale Main Streets Alliance
For their stalwart support and stewardship of the park.
Tickets are sold out.

Van Cortlandt Nature Group
2026-05-30 09:30 - 10:30
Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan.

Spring is off to a glorious beginning. Wildflowers are emerging, and the warblers are coming in! Tree swallows are visiting the Vault Hill and Tibbett Meadows. Tulip trees and crabapples will be in flower in May along with cherry trees, dogwoods, redbud trees. The dawn chorus is well underway, and birds are busy collecting nesting material.
RSVP Now.
Taking precautions against tick bite is recommended – socks over pants, and you may want to use insect repellent. Check your body for ticks after being outdoors.
Walk meets in front of the Nature Center.

261st Pollinator Garden Volunteer Day
2026-05-30 10:00 - 12:00
Join us in caring for the 261st Pollinator Garden and surrounding open field at Van Cortlandt Park! Alongside our partners at the Riverdale Main Streets Alliance, volunteers will help care for this essential habitat, supporting native pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife.
What You’ll Do:
Tasks will vary by season but may include:
🐝 Weeding & Mulching – Removing invasive plants and refreshing mulch to support native species.
🌱 Planting & Watering – Helping establish native wildflowers and other pollinator-friendly plants.
🍂 General Garden Maintenance – Keeping the space clean, healthy, and welcoming for both pollinators and people.
When & Where:
📅 Date: Saturday, May 30th
🕘 Time: 10am – 1pm EDT
📍 Meeting Location: The garden at W. 261st St. & Broadway, Van Cortlandt Park
What to Bring:

Comfortable clothes that can get dirty (long pants & sleeves recommended)
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Water bottle and snacks
Sunscreen and bug spray (as needed)

🌿 No experience necessary! We provide gloves, tools, and guidance. Just bring your enthusiasm for conservation and community service.
RSVP Now

Spring Tea
2026-05-30 14:00 - 17:00
Join Tea Arts & Culture and VCPA for 2nd Annual Spring Tea to celebrate spring & connect with the Bronx community in this beloved green space.

Join Tea Culture and Arts and Van Cortlandt Park Alliance to celebrate Spring in The Bronx at the beautiful Van Cortlandt Park.
We are thrilled to return for our second year to celebrate the season and connect with the Bronx community in this beloved green space.
All events are FREE!
Featuring:
Nature Walk at 2pm and 3pm
Tea experiences from 3pm
Moroccan Tea with Nizar Gartit
Tea with Eduard Boguslavsky, Erika Houle, EunYoung Sebazco, and Timothy Chacko
Garden herbal tastings
Odes to Common Things Poetry from 3PM
Reading with Henne Lena Van Campen, Justin’s Maki, Leah Kogen-Elimeliah and Meg Kaizu at 3:30 and 4:30
Writing with Robin Lampman
Washi Paper Making
with Michele Brody
Click here for more details on the artists.
Space is limited. RSVP Recommended.
This program is partially funded by a 2025 Cultural Immigrant Initiative grant from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Councilman Eric Dinowitz of Council District #11.
Private support is provided by City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks through the NYC Green Fund.

Wetland Wednesdays
2026-06-03 09:00 - 12:00
Summer Edition: Water Chestnut removal on Van Cortlandt Lake.
August Projects: water chestnut removal on Van Cortlandt Lake through mid-month, then phragmites and floodplain restoration.
When: Wednesdays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: no event on 6/10)
Where: Van Cortlandt Golf House (meet at south entrance)
What to bring: Clothes that can get wet and muddy, water bottle, sunscreen.
Tools and gloves provided. Ages 15+ welcome (minors need waiver).
Limited to 30 volunteers per shift. Groups of 6+ email noel@vancortlandt.org
RSVP Now.

Forest Fridays
2026-06-05 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for invasive species removal at the peak of the growing season. June is when invasives are easiest to spot and most vulnerable to removal — your work opens the forest floor for native wildflowers, oak seedlings, and the spring-loaded understory waiting underneath.
When: Fridays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note- no event on 6/19)
Where: Van Cortlandt Golf House (meet at south entrance)
What to bring: Clothes that can get dirty, sturdy shoes, water bottle, sunscreen.
Tools and gloves provided. Ages 15+ welcome (minors need waiver).
RSVP Now.
Limited to 30 volunteers per shift. Groups of 6+ email noel@vancortlandt.org

Caribeando Community Music and Dance Workshops
2026-06-06 14:00 - 16:00
Caribbean Music and Dance workshops with Juan Usera and the Sambuco Tribe in Van Cortlandt Park.
Saturdays July 18 from 3pm-5pm and August 22 from 2-4pm
Following their inspiring Caribeando performance at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture last May, Juan Usera and the Sambuco Tribe is offering an interactive Caribbean Music and Dance workshop in Van Cortlandt Park for the Bronx community.
The Caribeando Community Music and Dance Workshop provides an excellent opportunity to learn and practice Caribbean musical and dance traditions rooted in African heritage. Participants will learn Bomba, Plena, Guaracha, Cha-cha-cha, Merengue, and more. All ages, abilities, and skill levels are welcome to explore the basic rhythms, steps, call-and-response interactions, and shared community joy.
Workshop will be held next to the Enslaved African & Kingsbridge Burial Ground behind the Tennis Courts.
Parking is available in the Van Cortlandt Golf Lot. No driving inside the park allowed.
RSVP Now.
This series is sponsored by The NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grant Program.
This series is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.
